Centering device.



L. J. JONES.

GENTERING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 11, 1907.

902,738. Patented Nov. 3,1908.

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LLOYD J. JONES, OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.

CENTERING DEVICE Application filed July 11, 1907.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LLOYD J. Jones, citizen of the United States,residing at Richmond, in the county of Henrico and State of Virginia,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Centering Devices,of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to devices for locating centers and is moreespecially applicable to the process of determining and positioning thecenters of journal boxes, bushings, collars, etc. although itsusefulness is practically unlimited in the art of machine construction.

The paramount objects of my invention are to provide a convenient andpractical instrument by means of which the center of any internallycircularly curved surface within the capacity of the appliance may beaccurately determined; to furnish a device for the purpose stated thatcan be quickly adjusted to meet the variations in the diametricallengths of the parts to be mensurated, and to provide means fortemporarily indicating the center when found.

Further objects are to promote economy both of time and material in hying out work, and to supply a simple, efficient and durable implementfor the objects specified.

The usual method of obtaining the centers of boxes or bushings is toemploy a strip of wood to which a piece of thin metal is attached, suchas tin, or, which is considered preferable, a strip of lead is made useof to obtain the required point which is indicated the metal surface.The strip of lead thus prepared is fitted Within the box to be centered,which is done by careful and laborious alternate trimming and swedgingor stretching the soft metal strip. Repeated trials are necessary beforethe piece is of the proper length and it must be held with sufficientfirmness to allow of the impression to be made by the point used tolocate the center. It will be readily understood that this method iscrude and inaccurate unless great care is used and the time consumed inthe repeated clipping or hammering to beat out the shortened strip tothe extent required 'for the variation in the diameters, amounts to somuch as to enhance the cost of such procedure beyond reasonable limits.I avoid this waste of time and material and attain increased accuracy asabove stated by the employment of the device illustrated inSpecification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 3, 1908.

Serial No. 383,178.

the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this specification, andin which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved centering instrument; Fig. 2is a longitudinal section, and Fig. 3 is a rear view.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the numeral indicates the body ofthe device, cylindrical in cross section and having reinforced orenlarged ends, cut away on the sides to leave connecting bridges 11, andfurnished with slots 12. Upon one side of the said body 10, and midwayof the ends is located a boss 13, in which is inserted a circular cupshaped disk 14, which has a central lug provided with threads whichengage similar threads cut internally in the said boss 13. The side orlip of the said cup forms a sort of frame within which is run a plate orfield of lead, or other soft metal suited to the pur ose. The face ofthis plate or field is flush with the lip of the cup and performs thefunction of a receiving or impression surface upon which is scribed orotherwise marked the lo cation of the center when obtained. As thematerial of this impression plate is a soft metal any marks orindentures made therein may be readily obliterated by the use of ascraper or burnisher which may be the edge or face of any tool or metalpiece which may be at hand. The said body is provided with alongitudinal bore 10 which is of equal di ameter throughout and extendsentirely through the body. This bore is furnished with a comparativelythin and soft lining or skin 17 which forms a bushing for centeringmembers or centers, in the form of screws 18, 18 which are inserted inthe body from each end and have a sliding fit in said lining, the softmetal of which the latter is composed preventing wear of the threads,with which said screws are furnished throughout their entire length.

One side of each screw is supplied with a spline 19 which extends thefull length of the screw body. This spline is adapted to be engaged by apin 20 inserted through the wall of the body portion, there being onesuch pin at each end for the respective screws. The function of thesepins and corresponding splines is to prevent any relative movementbetween the screws and the incasing body when the said screws areoperated. The 0 crating means consist of duplicate knurled t iumb nuts21 which are inserted in the slots 12. In addition to the nurling whichaffords an aid to the fingers in turning the nuts, the face of each nutis furnished with spaced holes 22 in which a rod or spanner wrench maybe inserted to afford greater power in turning the nut.

The outer end of the screw 18 is supplied with a conical engaging centeror point 23 and the external end of the other screw 18' is provided witha double point 24. One of the engaging centers may be formed with asingle flattened edge, but I prefer, however, the double pointed form.The object of giving this shape to the point is to prevent turning ofthe appliance when pressure is applied to the field during the use ofthe tool after it has been set in position.

The tool is applied by inserting it into the bore to be centered withthe field 16 projecting towards the operator. The thumb nuts are thenturned until the points of the screws engage opposite walls of thecavity and if necessary a rod is used to set the screws 'irmly so thatthe device will be self supporting. The field being properly surfacedthe necessary marks may be made in the soft metal needed to locate thecenter of curvature. The appliance is then removed by retracting thescrews by the nuts 21, and the tool is then applied to another box orother cavity the center of which it is desired to locate.

I11 the ordinary formation of boxes or bushings, especially inlocomotive frame construction, it is usual to find a fillet ofconsiderable size, and it is necessary to place the subtending strip ortool below the said fillet in order to secure a position therefor, andwhen the common method of using a lead strip is employed allowance mustbe made for this contingency. With the use of my centering field,however, the lead plate can be set flush with the face of the work,whatever may be the size of the said fillet.

It will thus be seen that the centering of a large number of boxeshaving different dimensions may be accomplished with a single device andwith a great economy in time and labor.

The field of lead may be used an indefinite number of times by simplyerasing the impressions made in the course of its employment as beforestated, and when necessary j the cup 14 may be unscrewed from itssocket, the old lead removed and a new plate run into the cup to serveagain as a marking surface.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a centering device, the combination with a hollow body, andcentering members adjustably mounted in axial alinement in said body, ofan impression plate attached to one side of the body intermediate of itsends.

2. In a centering device, the combination with a cylindrical casing, andadjustable centers mounted in axial alinement in said casing, of animpression plate removably attached to said casing.

3. I11 a centering device, the combination with a cylindrical casing, ofa plurality of centering members mounted in alinement in said casing,means for independently adjusting each of said members longitudinally,and an impression plate removably attached to one side of said casing.

4. In a centering device, the combination with a tubular casing, of aplurality of pointed screws arranged in axial alinement in said casing,means for independently adjusting said screws longitudinally, and animpression plate removably attached to said casing, the said plate beingarranged in a plane parallel with the axes of said screws.

5. In a centering device, the combination of a casing, non-rotatablemeans for adjustably securing the casing between opposing surfaces, andan impression plate attached to one side of the casing, said plate beingcomposed of soft metal.

6. In a centering device, the combination of a cylindrical casing, alining for the casing composed of material of less density than thecasing, a lurality of pointed screws arranged in axial a inement in saidcasing, means for adjusting said screws longitudinally, means forpreventing the rotation of the screws relatively to the casing, and animpression plate removably attached to the casing, said plate beingcomposed of comparatively soft material.

7. In a centering device, the combination of a cylindrical casing,screws arranged in axial alinement in the casing, one of said screwshaving a double point, means for independently adjusting said screwslongitudinally and a soft metal impression plate removably attached tothe casing.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in the presence of twowitnesses.

LLOYD J. JONES.

Witnesses:

ARCHIE M. VAUGHAN, W. K. VAUGHAN.

